Miss-Delectable
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http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0706/345394.html
Laurel Regional Hospital has signed a federal consent decree guaranteeing services for deaf and hearing-impaired patients to be able to communicate with doctors and nurses.
The decree comes as a resolution to a complaint filed in January by seven deaf men and women who said their repeated requests for sign language interpreters were denied - a violation of the Americans With Disabilities Act.
The patients say they had to interact with hospital staff members in some critical medical situations by writing notes or trying to read lips.
The hospital has agreed to add video interpreting services and to better educate its staff. It has also agreed to changes in its facilities, equipment. A hospital spokeswoman says there will be accessibility at all hours of the day.
Laurel Regional Hospital has signed a federal consent decree guaranteeing services for deaf and hearing-impaired patients to be able to communicate with doctors and nurses.
The decree comes as a resolution to a complaint filed in January by seven deaf men and women who said their repeated requests for sign language interpreters were denied - a violation of the Americans With Disabilities Act.
The patients say they had to interact with hospital staff members in some critical medical situations by writing notes or trying to read lips.
The hospital has agreed to add video interpreting services and to better educate its staff. It has also agreed to changes in its facilities, equipment. A hospital spokeswoman says there will be accessibility at all hours of the day.